“The Chew’s” talented and hilarious co-host Carla Hall knows a thing or two about baking, she’s the owner of renowned artisan cookie company Alchemy by Carla Hall, and was also a finalist on Bravo’s “Top Chef.” I might add she loves desserts, so when Nestle Crunch asked her to participate as a judge for Nestle Crunch’s Birthday Showdown Bakery Competition, she signed on the dotted line. Do you blame her? She’s gotten to try some of the top chocolate desserts from renowned bakeries across the country. When can I sign up?!

Carla was kind enough to join me for an interview yesterday to dish on Nestle Crunch’s 75th Birthday Showdown, from what inspired her to team up with the acclaimed brand to the top three finalists, and how you can get your hands on some of the Nestle Crunch recipes for your next celebration or family dessert!

Candace Rose: Can you tell us about Nestle Crunch’s 75th Birthday Showdown?

Carla Hall: “Yes! So Nestle Crunch is 75 years old this year. And I know everybody has all of these fond memories, I know I have a fond memory of my grandmother having that bowl of little miniature chocolate bars that my sister and I would fight over. So what they’re doing to celebrate is challenging 15 prestigious bakeries and pastry chefs around the country to come up with the ultimate Crunch birthday treat.”

Candace Rose: What inspired you to team up with Nestle?

Carla Hall: “Well, I think somebody is looking out for me because I love desserts, I bake, I have a cookie company and I think it’s a perfect match. And I love Nestle Crunch, so I’m like ‘What? I’m in charge of tasting all these beautifully baked desserts? What? Sign me up. Sign me up right now!”

Candace Rose: Do you need volunteers?

Carla Hall: “Actually we did need volunteers! We needed people to volunteer to go onto the Facebook page to actually vote and show who their favorites were. These treats were actually available in some of the bakeries. The only national bakery is Crumbs, so people could go to Crumbs and taste their entry. We asked people to come to the Facebook page and vote, and now we have the top three which I have to show you.

Sweet E’s Bake Shop in Los Angeles (dessert) is a thick brownie, and the top is this light whipped peanut butter topping with a Buncha Crunch. It has drizzled chocolate on top.

Lutz Bakery in Chicago (dessert) is a chocolate cream cheese cake. It’s this little miniature cheese cake the size of a silver dollar, but around it are Nestle Crunch bars, and then on top Buncha Crunch as a garnish. It looks like a little hockey puck with powdered sugar. What? Delicious!

The third top three is from Sweet Mandy B’s from Chicago,and it’s a triple threat of crisp rice treat underneath a peanut butter mousse in the middle, and milk chocolate with Buncha Crunch on top. It is decadent!”

Candace Rose: When will the winner be announced?

Carla Hall: “The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 30th and I’m really excited!”

Candace Rose: Do you have any additional tips or information you’d like to share with us?

Carla Hall: “Yes, well, I’m inviting everyone to go Crunch’s Facebook page, and that’s Facebook.com/NestleCrunch. You can see all 15 of the entries and the photos. Not only can you see the photos, but you can also get the recipes. So if you wanted to make these treats at home for your birthday, for a friend’s birthday, please partake and join in the birthday celebration with Nestle Crunch’s 75th Birthday Showdown. And watch out for the winner.”